2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumOregon superdelegates making Sanders/Clinton choices amid growing unease about system
SALEM After Bernie Sanders won Oregon's Democratic primary this week, two superdelegates announced they'll back the Vermont senator and one declared support for Hillary Clinton, amid increased discomfort with a system viewed as undemocratic, even among some of the superdelegates themselves.
"Every Democrat I have talked to finds the unpledged delegate system offensive," Larry Taylor said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. He became a superdelegate because of his position in the Democratic party in Oregon, but that doesn't mean he agrees with the system.
After Tuesday's primary results came in, Taylor announced he would support Sanders, one of only three superdelegates to do so, with Sen. Jeff Merkley having endorsed Sanders before the primary. Seven have declared they back Clinton. Three remain undeclared.
"I don't think my vote ... should invalidate the vote of thousands of voters," Taylor said. Each delegate vote on the floor of the Democratic convention in July will represent about 8,500 Democrats who voted in the Oregon primary, he noted. He was speaking to AP from Philadelphia, where he and other party officials from Oregon were visiting the convention facilities.
U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio is unhappy with this system. DeFazio, a superdelegate by virtue of his position as a congressman, is staying out of the fray for now.
"Generally, I do not weigh in on contested primaries, and as long as the race for the Democratic nomination continues, I have no plans to do otherwise," DeFazio said in a statement Wednesday.
He was blunt about his feelings about the superdelegate system, implemented by the Democratic National Committee before the 1984 election to prevent candidates with little chance of winning the presidential election from being chosen as the party's nominee.
"I find the role of superdelegates undemocratic and they should not be a part of the nominating system," DeFazio said. "Instead, I would prefer to let the voters determine the results of presidential primary."
Superdelegate Lupita Maurer came out for Sanders after his win Tuesday, and was delighted to do so.
"I believe I have to represent the majority of voters in Oregon, and so I will vote for him at the convention," she told AP Wednesday.
Maurer, who has dual US-Mexican citizenship, added: "I am from Mexico City, and to me he has done an outstanding job of standing up for the Latino community."
However, she is not a fan of the superdelegate system.
"It's outdated," she said. "We should just get rid of the delegate system completely."
-- The Associated Press
http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2016/05/oregon_superdelegates_grapple.html
SheilaT
(23,156 posts)Just wish more superdelegates in states that Bernie also won, would do the same.
silvershadow
(10,336 posts)NWCorona
(8,541 posts)barrow-wight
(744 posts)KPN
(15,642 posts)If Bernie wins CA, it's a whole new ball game. Either way, The Party will have a weak and vulnerable candidate if it put Hillary on the ticket -- and I think many superdelegates will realize that. We shall see.
silvershadow
(10,336 posts)at the first of the year. Those Supers committed WAY too early, and now are in a difficult position.
KPN
(15,642 posts)by intentionally scheduling "moderate" States early to give that impression. It wasn't about southern minorities, it was about keeping real progressives at bay by front running the moderate States. It serves to perpetuate the New Democrats control -- nothing more.
Bernie's been gaining on her ever since. If he wins CA, her candidacy is all but over as far as ever having a hope to be President. She may win the nomination, but she will have no chance of beating Trump. She's got way too much baggage, real and perceived. The Indies who have helped Bernie can't be counted on to elect her. Super-delegates will think long and hard on this.
It isn't over. And it's not about the "platform".
LiberalFighter
(50,895 posts)Primaries are conducted under state laws.
KPN
(15,642 posts)You aren't really that naive are you?
silvershadow
(10,336 posts)(Wasn't actually Debbie-gate, but was at the same time.)
LiberalFighter
(50,895 posts)If it was coordinated to that level the Democratic primaries would be held separately from Republican parties.
You are the naive one.
KPN
(15,642 posts)Look it up.
Demsrule86
(68,554 posts)That is hilarious. No, if Sanders wins...nothing changes.
silvershadow
(10,336 posts)for changes for eons. I, too, noticed the very things you mention. Thank you for your post.
SheilaT
(23,156 posts)Of course, even if he does, her supporters will be carefully explaining to us why that state no longer matters.
Demsrule86
(68,554 posts)Hillary won California in 2008, and it didn't matter...she also won Ohio, PA,WVA etc...it didn't matter. This contest has been over for a while and Bernie should have acknowledged that...after seeing the fundraising and spending levels in both campaigns...my guess is he needs money I actually don't think Bernie will win California ...but even if he did ...delegate math is delegate math. He has no path...and even if all the supers voted with their states...he would still lose.
silvershadow
(10,336 posts)Demsrule86
(68,554 posts)He lost folks...it is time to realize this.
KPN
(15,642 posts)Try something new for a change. Hillary and New Dems has already lost the war.
Demsrule86
(68,554 posts)He will not be the nominee.
KPN
(15,642 posts)we shall see.
In any case, it may be that Bernie doesn't win the battle, but he's already won the war. The Democratic Party will never be the same. Third Way/New Democrat leadership will be a thing of the past in 2020, and forgotten by 2024.
The movement has already won. Adapt or suffer the dismay.